Tchefuncte River Bridge temporarily shut down after malfunction

The Tchefuncte River Bridge was shut down Thursday afternoon after a malfunction.

The swing bridge was attempting to open to marine traffic when a hydraulic line burst and left it stuck in the up position, according to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. The department said its engineers estimate the repair will take about three hours and expect the bridge to reopen about 8 p.m.

Eyewitnesses told WDSU via social media that the temporary closure caused heavy delays and that schools informed parents that buses would be late picking up their children.

The closure, which caused heavy backups in both directions on Highway 22, was expected to last several hours as crews worked to fix the problem, state police said.

Drivers were advised by the DOTD to detour from the Causeway Bridge by taking U.S. Highway 190 to Interstate 12 westbound, to La. 21 southbound, to La. 1077, which runs into La. 22 east.